standard-bearer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “standard-bearer” mean?
A person who carries a flag or banner, especially in a military or ceremonial context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who carries a flag or banner, especially in a military or ceremonial context.
A leading figure or representative of a particular cause, movement, or set of ideas; someone who champions and exemplifies a principle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The hyphenated form is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of honour, responsibility, and visibility. In political/journalistic contexts, it can imply being a figurehead who may be held accountable for the movement's successes or failures.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in political and historical writing than in everyday speech in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “standard-bearer” in a Sentence
standard-bearer for/of [cause/movement/party]act as (a) standard-bearerserve as (the) standard-bearerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “standard-bearer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The party hopes she will standard-bear in the next election. (Note: This verbal use is extremely rare and non-standard; 'to be the standard-bearer' is the correct phrasing.)
American English
- The company aims to standard-bear for innovation. (Note: This verbal use is extremely rare and non-standard; 'to be the standard-bearer' is the correct phrasing.)
adjective
British English
- She played a standard-bearing role in the campaign. (Rare, but possible as a compound adjective.)
American English
- Their standard-bearing product defined the market. (Rare, but possible as a compound adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for a company or product seen as leading an industry trend (e.g., 'The electric car became the standard-bearer for sustainable transport').
Academic
Used in history, political science, and sociology to denote a key representative of an ideology or school of thought.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used in discussions about politics, sports teams, or community leaders.
Technical
The literal meaning is still used in heraldry, military history, and ceremonial protocol.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “standard-bearer”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “standard-bearer”
- Confusing with 'standard bearer' (without hyphen) – the hyphenated form is correct for the noun. Using it for any supporter rather than a leading, symbolic representative.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hyphenated compound noun: 'standard-bearer'.
Yes, it can be used ironically or critically to imply someone is a mere figurehead, or to highlight the burden of representing a flawed cause (e.g., 'the standard-bearer for a failed policy').
A spokesperson communicates messages. A standard-bearer is a symbolic leader who embodies the cause itself, often through action and example, not just words.
No, it is more common in formal writing, journalism, history, and political discourse. In everyday conversation, words like 'leader', 'champion', or 'figurehead' are more likely.
A person who carries a flag or banner, especially in a military or ceremonial context.
Standard-bearer is usually formal, literary, journalistic in register.
Standard-bearer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstandəd ˌbɛːrə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstændərd ˌbɛrər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “carry the standard”
- “bear the banner”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BEARER carrying a STANDARD (flag). This person is at the front, visible to all, representing the group behind them.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPRESENTING A CAUSE IS CARRYING ITS FLAG. (The flag symbolizes the ideals; carrying it makes you the visible symbol.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'standard-bearer' used in its most literal, historical sense?